43 arrested during raids of two drug rings in Richland County

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MANSFIELD, Ohio-- Dozens of people were arrested during drug raids in Richland County Thursday morning.

More than 200 law enforcement officers from local, state and federal agencies executed warrants in the Mansfield area, surrounding cities and Detroit, Michigan, said FBI Special Agent in Charge Eric Smith. So far, 43 of 79 suspects are in custody. Smith said the raids targeted two drug rings.

"What they had in common is that both of these groups brought deadly and dangerous drugs into Mansfield and sold them for profit, leaving behind broken families and communities," said Justin Herdman, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio.

Herdman said 23 people were indicted on charges of conspiracy with intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin, oxycodone and marijuana. The other indictment charges 20 conspiracy with intent to distribute heroin, crack cocaine, cocaine and methamphetamine.

An additional three dozen people were indicted in state court.

"Takedowns like this aren't going to automatically fix the problems we have in our community, they aren't going to fix the drug problem in Mansfield, they're not going to fix the drug problem in Ohio," Herdman said. "But what they do is offer an opportunity for our community. It's an opportunity to hold accountable the people who have sold these drugs on our streets, who have profited from this drug epidemic."

Anyone with information on the remaining suspects is asked to call their local authorities of the Cleveland Division of the FBI at 216-512-1400.

**Editor's note: Thursday evening, Mansfield police issued a news release. A photo of Andre McCrary shown in the video and on the poster of the suspects is not accurate.Mr. McCrary Sr. was not a suspect in this case and is not in custody. Mansfield police apologized for the mistake and are in the process of investigating how this happened.**